JP2000118005A - Printing press for forming image over entire breadth of receiver except lateral face of receiver and method for assembling printing press - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet printing press for forming images over an entire breadth of a receiver except a lateral face of the receiver and a method for assembling a printing press. SOLUTION: A printing press 10 having a print head 50 for jetting small drops of ink onto a receiver sheet 30 forms images spreading over an entire breadth of the receiver sheet 30. The print head 50 starts to jet small drops 60 of ink from a position spaced by a predetermined distance (d) from a lateral face 45a of the receiver sheet 30. A liquid reservoir part 180 is set adjacent to the lateral face of the receiver sheet 30 and extends along the predetermined distance (d). The liquid reservoir part 180 receives the small drops 60 of ink jetted along the predetermined distance (d), thereby preventing the small drops 60 from hitting the lateral face 45a or parts in the printing press.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to ink jet printers and printing press assembling methods,
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ink jet printer and an assembling method for forming an image over the entire width of a receiver except for a side surface of the receiver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet printing machines produce an image on a receiver by ejecting ink droplets in an image onto the receiver. Inkjet printers have gained widespread acceptance in the market due to their advantages such as non-impact, low noise, low energy usage, and low cost operation, in addition to the ability of the printer to print on plain paper.

[0003] Conventional prints have been formed with blank edges around the printed image. However, there is now an established demand for so-called "rimless" (ie full width) prints. Borderless prints are aesthetically desirable because there are no disturbing edges around the image. Also, if there is an edge, misalignment of the image can result in the formation of undesirable non-uniform edges. In addition, printed material without borders at the time of printing eliminates the need to cut off disturbing edges surrounding the image, thereby saving printing paper material.

[0004] The prior art for producing borderless prints simply requires that the ink drop be fired a predetermined distance before the printhead is precisely aligned with the distal edge of the receiver. The operation of the print head was to be started. This prior art eliminates the aforementioned borders, thereby providing borderless prints.

[0005]

However, problems arise with the use of this prior art. That is, when the printhead is actuated in this manner, the ink droplets may also land on the side of the receiver and spread to the back of the receiver. Drops of ink on the side, as well as drops on the back of the receiver, impair the aesthetics of the image.

Also, the print head is aligned with the terminal edge (al
Starting the ink ejection before igns) also raises another problem. In that case, the ink droplets do not land on the receiver, but land elsewhere in the printing press.
Ink droplets elsewhere in the press can contaminate components inside the press and can have highly undesirable consequences. Therefore, during borderless printing, it is important that the ink droplets that have not landed on the receiver are easily removed from the printing press and captured for later disposal or reuse.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing press and a printing press assembling method for forming an image over the entire width of the receiver excluding the lateral surface of the receiver. This prevents unintentional dropping of ink on the side surfaces and elsewhere in the press.

[0008]

With the above objects in mind, the present invention is defined by the appended claims. In other words, according to the first invention, a printing machine for forming an image on a receiver sheet excluding a lateral surface of a receiver, by starting ejection of multiple ink droplets at a predetermined distance from the lateral surface. A printhead configured to form the image on the receiver sheet, a movable support contacting the receiver sheet and supporting the receiver sheet at an upper portion thereof, and disposed relative to the printhead. A reservoir for extending along the predetermined distance and receiving the ink ejected along the predetermined distance so that the image is formed only on the receiver sheet and ink droplets do not adhere to the lateral surface. And the following.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a printing machine for forming an image on a receiver sheet excluding a lateral surface of a receiver, the method comprising: Providing a printhead configured to form the image on the receiver sheet by initiating injection; and supporting the receiver sheet with a movable support contacting the receiver sheet thereon. Arranging the image so that the image is formed only on the receiver sheet by receiving ink ejected along the predetermined distance, the ink being arranged along the predetermined distance and being arranged opposite to the print head. And providing a reservoir for preventing ink droplets from adhering to the lateral surface.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a printing press has a printhead configured to eject a plurality of ink droplets onto a receiver sheet to form an image that extends across the full width of the receiver sheet. I do. By full width printing,
A so-called "rimless" print is obtained which is aesthetically pleasing to the viewer of the print. Here, the term "borderless print" is defined to mean a print without blank edges surrounding the image formed on the receiver sheet. To obtain it, the print head starts ejecting ink droplets from a location that is a predetermined distance away from the lateral surface of the receiver sheet. As used herein, the term "lateral surface" is defined to mean the surface of the receiver sheet that is visible when the receiver sheet is viewed from a cross-sectional direction.

A reservoir is provided adjacent to the lateral surface and extends along a predetermined distance. The reservoir receives ink droplets ejected along a predetermined distance, thereby preventing the ink droplets from unintentionally landing on a lateral surface or a component in a printing press. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir is
An absorbent material that absorbs ink droplets ejected along a predetermined distance. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the liquid reservoir is a liquid drain that collects ink droplets ejected along a predetermined distance. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the ink droplet is charged with an electrostatic charge of a first polarity, and the reservoir is charged with an electrostatic charge of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, so that a predetermined amount is obtained. Ink droplets ejected along the distance are preferentially attracted to the reservoir.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a reservoir for catching ink droplets ejected along a predetermined distance.

An advantage of the present invention is that the use of the present invention results in a borderless print without lateral ink contamination and enhances the aesthetics of the image formed on the receiver sheet.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the use of the present invention prevents ink contamination of components in a printing press.

[0015] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description, with reference to the drawings, which illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Become.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the claims herein particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the present invention, reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention will be better understood from the following description. Will.

1 and 2, an ink jet printing machine for forming an image 20 on a receiver sheet 30 obtained by cutting a roll-shaped receiver roll 40 into a predetermined length is indicated by a reference numeral 10 as a whole. As described in further detail below, the printing press 10 includes a plurality of lateral surfaces 45a of the receiver sheet 30.
And 45b are configured to form image 20 on receiver sheet 30 without forming any portion of image 20. Receiver sheet 30 has a plurality of distal edges 46a and 46b that delimit the full width "W" of receiver sheet 30.

Further referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
0 includes a housing 47 that houses a movable printhead 50. The print head 50 is configured to form an image 20 on the receiver sheet 30 by injecting an image forming fluid, such as a plurality of ink droplets 60 (see FIG. 6), onto the receiver sheet 30. It is recognized that ink droplet 60 may be a dye ink, a pigmented ink, or the like. It is further recognized that printhead 50 may be a piezoelectric inkjet printhead of a type well known to those skilled in the art. More specifically, the print head 50 is a lead zirconium titanate that has a mechanical response to electrical stimuli.
ate) (PZT) or the like. The printhead 50 thereby ejects ink droplets 60 when electrically stimulated, as described in more detail below. In this regard, printhead 50 has a plurality of ink chambers 70 (see FIG. 6). Each chamber 70 is defined by a pair of parallel side walls 80a and 80b located on both sides. Side wall 80
When any pair of a and 80b is electrically stimulated, its pair of side walls 80a and 80b simultaneously shift inward, ejecting ink droplets 60 from chamber 70 (see FIG. 6). To form the desired image 20, the electrical stimulus supplied to the printhead 50 is controlled to selectively operate the chamber 70 so that the ink droplet 60 is selectively ejected from the chamber 70. I do.

1 and 2, the printing press 10 further includes a first motor 9 for rotating the receiver roll 40.
Has zero. The rotation is performed, for example, by a shaft 100 connected to the first motor 90 and connected to a central portion of the receiver roll 40. As the receiver roll 40 rotates, the receiver supply 42 is unwound from the roll 40 and passes between a pair of capstan rollers 110. Capstan roller 110 guides a desired amount of receiver supply 42 into cutter blade mechanism 120. When a desired amount of the receiver supply 42 passes through the cutter blade mechanism 120, the cutter blade mechanism 120 operates, and the receiver supply 42 is cut. As a result, the above-described receiver sheet 30 having the predetermined length is created.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 (a), (b),
According to (c), a transfer mechanism generally designated by reference numeral 125 contacts the receiver sheet 30 and moves the receiver sheet 30 with respect to the print head 50. In this regard, as the receiver supply 42 is unwound from the roll 40, it passes between the capstan rollers 110,
The sheet passes through the cutter blade mechanism 120 and is placed on a movable support such as a movable platen (support) 130. The platen 130 is provided near the receiver roll 40. As described above, after the cutter blade mechanism 120 cuts the receiver supply product 42 to create the receiver sheet 30, the receiver sheet 30 is transferred onto the platen 130 by its own inertia, and thereby the receiver sheet 3
0 is placed on the platen 130. At this point, the platen 130 supports the receiver sheet 30. Further, a connection arm 140 is connected to the platen 130, and moves the platen 130 along the predetermined path 145 with respect to the print head 50. Since the platen 130 supports the receiver sheet 30, it is understood that the receiver sheet 30 moves along the predetermined path 145 as the platen 130 moves. The arm 140 is the platen 13
0 is moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 along the predetermined path 145. At a second position, the receiver sheet 30 separates from the platen 130, as described in more detail below. However, to receive the next receiver sheet 30, the platen must return to position P1. In this regard, arm 140 moves platen 130 to position P
It operates to move from 3 to the position P4. Subsequently, the platen 130 is moved back from the position P4 to the position P1, and receives the next receiver sheet 30. That is, the movement of the platen 130 returning to the position P1 via the positions P1, P2, P3, and P4 is achieved by the connecting arm 140 appropriately controlled and operated by the second motor 150.
Rotation of the receiver roll 40, cutting of the receiver supply 42, movement of the print head 50 and the platen 130,
The connection of the arm 140 is controlled so that the desired image 20 is formed on the receiver sheet 30 and then the receiver sheet 30 is ejected from the platen 130 and collected by the operator of the printing press 10. To this end, the control unit 160 controls the print head 50, the first motor 90, the cutter blade mechanism 120, and the second motor 1
Preferably, it is connected to 50 and controls these components of the printing press 10. Thereby, a desired image 20 of the receiver sheet 30 is formed, and the operator of the printing press 10 is provided with the completed printed matter. Such controls are available from Texa Instruments, Inc. of Dallas, Texas.
s Instruments, Incorporated). As platen 130 is moved along path 145, it is understood that printhead 50 performs orthogonal reciprocating movement with respect to platen 130. More specifically, as the platen 130 moves, the print head 50 reciprocates between the first position X ₁ and the second position X ₂ along the direction indicated by the bidirectional arrow 165 (see FIG. 5). . By doing so, the image information of each line forming the image 20 is printed. Of course, an ink source 170 is connected to the printhead 50 and supplies ink to the chamber 70 in the printhead 50.

It is desirable to operate printhead 50 so that image 20 extends the full width “W” of receiver sheet 30. Thereby, a so-called "rimless" print can be provided if desired. In borderless prints, there are no disturbing edges around the image 20, which is aesthetically pleasing to a viewer. Also, if there is an edge, misalignment of the image can result in the formation of undesirable non-uniform edges. In addition, the printed material without borders at the time of printing saves printing paper material because it is not necessary to cut off the disturbing borders surrounding the image 20. Conventional solutions to this problem simply consist of the side surfaces 45a or 45b.
Starting the operation of the print head 50 so that the ejection of the ink droplets 60 is started at a predetermined distance “d” (see FIG. 6) from either (the direction depending on the moving direction of the print head 50 going back and forth). It is. This prior art,
The aforementioned borders are eliminated, thereby providing a borderless print. However, problems arise with the use of this prior art. That is, when the print head 50 is actuated in this way, the ink droplets 60 land on the lateral surfaces 45a, 45b,
It may spread to the back surface of the receiver sheet 30. The landing of the ink on the side surfaces 45a and 45b is as follows.
As well as dropping on the back side of the receiver sheet 30, it impairs the aesthetics of the image 20. Initiating the ejection of the ink droplet 60 before the printhead 50 is precisely aligned (aligned) with the distal edges 46a and 46b also creates another problem. According to this, the ink droplets do not land on the receiver sheet 30 and the housing 47
Drops on other parts of the inside and contaminate the internal parts,
This has very undesirable consequences. Therefore, it is important that the ink droplets that have not landed on the receiver sheet 30 be easily removed later from the printing press 10 and discarded or captured for reuse in the ink source 170.

Accordingly, in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the liquid sump indicated generally by reference numeral 180 extends along the predetermined distance "d", and the ink reservoir ejected along the distance "d". The drops 60 are received. Thereby, the side surfaces 45a and 45b and the back surface of the receiver sheet 30 are kept in a state where ink does not adhere. The use of the sump 180 further ensures that ink droplets 60 that have not landed on the receiver sheet 30 are captured by the sump 180 instead of contaminating components within the housing 47. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, sump 180 includes a pair of spaced parallel belts 190a and 190b. Each belt 190a, 190b is configured as a continuous loop (as shown). Each belt 1
A lip 200 for mounting the distal edge 46a / b of the receiver sheet 30 may be provided around the periphery of the 90a, 190b near the device center. Belt 190
a, 190b are the side surfaces 45a, 45b and the lip portion 200.
It is preferable to provide an interval so that a gap 205 is formed between the wall and the upright wall. Gap 205
Preferably has a predetermined width smaller than the size of the smallest ink droplet 60 ejected from the print head 50. As a result, any ink droplet 60 is
5 to ensure that they do not penetrate and do not land on the lateral surfaces 45a, 45b. However, if ink droplets 60 enter gap 205, reservoir 180 will capture ink droplets 60 and pull such ink droplets 60 away from lateral surfaces 45a and 45b. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sump 180 is a pad of absorbent material,
Ink droplets 60 that may be ejected along distance "d" and into gap 205 are absorbed by capillary action. In this way, the ink droplets 60 are transferred to the side surfaces 45a, 4a.
Neither 5b nor any other place in the housing 47 is dropped. The ink that has landed on the belts 190a and 190b is not only quickly absorbed by the belts 190a and 190b, but also dries quickly, thereby avoiding landing on the next receiver sheet 30. In this regard, the absorbent material may be a fibrous material such as a polyester, a reticulated foam having open microscopic cells for receiving fluids, or the like. Of course, the absorbent belt 190
The operator of the printing press 10 may periodically replace the absorbent belts 190a, 190b each time a, 190b becomes saturated with ink.

Also in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a plurality of synchronized motorized rollers 210 are connected to each belt 190.
a, 190b, and both belts 190a, 190b
Simultaneously rotate at the same speed. Further, the operation of the roller 210 is synchronized with the movement of the platen 130, so that the belts 190a and 190b move in cooperation with the platen 130.
At one point during the rotation of the belts 190a, 190b, the receiver sheet 30 separates from the belts 190a, 190b and falls by gravity into the receiver collection tray 215 (see FIG. 1), after which the operator of the printing press 10 operates. Taken out.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 1
80 denotes a plurality of drainage units 2 facing the print head 50.
20 and receives ink droplets 60 ejected along a distance "d". For efficient recovery of those ink droplets 60 ejected along distance "d", drain 220
The surface of the sump 180 may be sloped (as shown) so that those ink droplets 60 are preferentially poured into the drain 220. Further, one or more drains 220 are connected to gap 205 so that ink droplets
05 can be collected when they enter. The drain 220 is connected to the suction pump 230 by means such as a plurality of conduits 240 that connect to each drain 220. The purpose of the suction pump 230 is to suck the ink droplets 60 through the drain 220. The suction pump 230 is connected to the liquid collecting section 25 by a means such as a pipe 260.
Connect to 0. The liquid collecting unit 250 stores the ink droplets 60 sucked by the suction pump 230. Liquid collecting part 25
The operator of the printing press 10 may periodically empty the liquid collecting unit 250 each time 0 is filled with ink.

FIG. 9 most clearly illustrates the third embodiment of the present invention. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a first static power supply 270 for charging the ink droplets 60 ejected from the channel 70 is connected to the printhead 50. Thereby, the ink droplet 60 obtains a first electrostatic charge of a first polarity (for example, positive polarity). Further, the reservoir 1
The second static power supply 280 for charging the
Connected to 0. Thereby, the reservoir 180 obtains a second electrostatic charge having a second polarity (for example, negative polarity) opposite to the first polarity. In this way, the ink droplets 60 ejected along the predetermined distance “d” are preferentially stored in the reservoir 180.
It is electrostatically attracted to and captured. Since the ink droplets 60 that have entered the gap 205 are electrostatically attracted to the reservoir 180, such ink droplets are, of course, drawn to the reservoir 180 and separated from the lateral surfaces 45a and 45b.

An advantage of the present invention is that the use of the present invention results in a borderless print without lateral ink contamination and enhances the aesthetics of the image 20 formed on the receiver sheet 30; It will be appreciated from the above description. That is, it is possible to manufacture a borderless printed material without ink being deposited on the lateral surface 45a / b or the back surface of the receiver sheet 30. This result is achieved by the ink ejected along the distance "d" being captured by the reservoir 180.

It is recognized from the above description that another advantage of the present invention is that the use of the present invention prevents ink contamination of components within the printing press 10 during the production of borderless prints. Will. This is because ink ejected along distance "d" is easily captured by reservoir 180 for later disposal or reuse.

The above-described printing press can be easily obtained by having at least the functions assembled in the following steps.

(A) preparing a printhead configured to form the image on the receiver sheet by initiating ejection of a number of ink droplets at a predetermined distance from the lateral surface; Arranging a movable support in contact with the receiver sheet so as to support the receiver sheet at an upper portion thereof; (c) extending along the predetermined distance, being arranged opposite to the print head; Providing a reservoir for receiving the ink ejected along a predetermined distance so that the image is formed only on the receiver sheet and ink droplets do not adhere to the lateral surface.

Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes can be made and elements of the preferred embodiment may be substituted for equivalents without departing from the invention. Will be understood by. For example, the reservoir may be a radiant heater that evaporates ink droplets ejected along a predetermined distance, thereby preventing liquid ink from dropping on the lateral surface of the receiver sheet. The ink particulate matter resulting from the evaporation process is deposited on the sump and then discarded. In this case, the falling particulate matter may be adhered to the reservoir by coating the reservoir with an appropriate adhesive. This prevents the particles from migrating to the printed material or the printing press part and furthermore facilitates disposal.

Thus, there has been provided an ink jet printing press and method of assembling a printing press that forms an image over the entire width of the receiver except for the side of the receiver, wherein the printing press includes a printer and a printer. Unintended dropping of ink is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing press according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the printing press obtained along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of a receiver sheet transfer mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating the configuration of a liquid reservoir in the form of a pair of parallel belts arranged at intervals and members around the reservoir.

FIG. 5 is a configuration conceptual diagram showing a first embodiment of a liquid reservoir of the printing press according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a liquid reservoir according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a second embodiment of the liquid reservoir of the printing press according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view of a liquid reservoir according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the liquid reservoir of the printing press according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 printing machine, 20 images, 30 receiver sheets, 45a, 45b side surface, 50 print heads, 6
0 Ink droplets, 130 platen, 180 reservoir.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A printing machine for forming an image on a receiver sheet excluding a lateral surface of a receiver, the method comprising: starting ejection of a plurality of ink droplets at a predetermined distance from the lateral surface on the receiver sheet. A printhead configured to form the image; a movable support contacting the receiver sheet to support the receiver sheet at an upper portion thereof; and a movable support disposed relative to the printhead and along the predetermined distance. And a reservoir for receiving the ink ejected along the predetermined distance to form the image only on the receiver sheet and prevent the ink droplets from adhering to the lateral surface. A printing machine that forms an image over the entire width of the receiver except for the lateral surface of the receiver. 2. A method of assembling a printing press for forming an image on a receiver sheet excluding a lateral surface of a receiver, the method comprising: starting ejection of a plurality of ink droplets at a predetermined distance from the lateral surface. Providing a printhead configured to form the image on a sheet; arranging a movable support in contact with the receiver sheet to support the receiver sheet thereon; The image is formed only on the receiver sheet by receiving ink ejected along the predetermined distance, which is disposed opposite to the print head and extends along the predetermined distance, and ink droplets are formed on the lateral surface. Providing a reservoir for preventing the adhesion of the liquid to the receiver. Assembly method for a printing press to form a.